Latest news with #Bachchan
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Amitabh Bachchan was sitting jobless at home after 11 flops, but Jaya Bachchan never stopped believing in him'; Javed Akhtar recalls pitching Zanjeer to Big B
Amitabh Bachchan wasn't a product of the film industry, but he got over 10 opportunities to prove himself before he finally did. He started with a string of flops, and was basically out of work when Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan fought for him to star in the film Zanjeer. It would establish him as a star, and send him on a journey that continues to this day. Bachchan is among the most popular movie stars in cinema history, and perhaps the most popular that India has ever produced. And it all began with Zanjeer, a movie that was pitched to him at a time when he had no work. In an interview with Hook Global, Javed Akhtar said that he and Salim Khan cannot take credit for 'launching' Bachchan as the 'Angry Young Man', although he admitted that they had to fight for him to be cast in Zanjeer because he wasn't considered to be commercially viable at the time. He praised Bachchan for the performance that he delivered in the film, which was unlike anything that had been seen before in Hindi cinema. He said, 'Most of the time, we don't respect the talent. There were very few people who had great respect for him, even after 11 of his films had flopped in a row.' Also read – 'Gave a hit with a super-duper flop actor Amitabh Bachchan': Javed Akhtar says he, Salim Khan had no work for 9 months after delivering 4 hits He continued, 'Jaya ji wasn't his wife then, knew what he (was capable of) and had great respect for his talent. Hrishikesh Mukherjee had a great respect for his talent, and kept on giving him work. We saw him in a film that didn't do well, but we could see that he is a volcano, waiting to erupt. He was very good in his worst films also. The film was bad, the script was bad, the dialogue was bad, the screenplay was wrong, but his work was impeccable. We had total confidence. Here is a major, major star who was waiting for the right opportunity.' Asked what it was like to pitch Zanjeer to Bachchan in the early 1970s, Javed Akhtar recalled, 'I was totally convinced that nobody could play this role the way he could. I hardly knew him when I narrated the script to him. We had met only once before. I called him. I said, 'There is a script I would like to narrate to you. When can I meet you?' He summoned me immediately, because he was sitting around jobless. I went an narrated the complete script, and he looked at me with wonder. He asked, 'Do you think I can pull this role off?' I said, 'Nobody in this country can play it better than you'.' In Khalid Mohamed's book, To Be Or Not To B: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya recalled the moments of sorrow that both her husband and son went through in their professional lives. She said about Amitabh, 'I never took his flops seriously; I was convinced that they were a passing phase. He was learning and improving. He would not get depressed by his failures but yes, at times he would retort sharply, 'Naturally no one wants me since I'm a flop actor.' Zanjeer paved the way for further Salim-Javed potboilers starring Bachchan, such as Deewaar and Sholay. The writer-duo split up not long afterwards, and went on their separate paths. Javed Akhtar established himself as a lyricist, while Bachchan continues to be one of Hindi cinema's greatest movie stars.
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Ad review: KBC's new campaign gives knowledge its swagger—and India its voice
Mumbai: As Kaun Banega Crorepati turns 25, it's not just marking time; it's evolving with it. The new campaign for Season 17, titled Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai (Where there is wisdom, there is swag) is a lesson in how legacy brands can reinvent themselves without losing their soul. What was once a celebration of hope is now a statement of earned confidence. Knowledge, it tells us, isn't just something to be respected, it's something to own, with pride and presence. Directed by filmmaker Vikas Bahl and anchored by the iconic Amitabh Bachchan, the campaign unfolds over three sharply scripted ad films. Each features an everyday Indian reclaiming dignity using intellect, not aggression, not influence, not wealth, but pure presence of mind. The spots are smart, emotionally layered and refreshingly bold. In the first, a restaurant manager calmly shuts down a group of entitled youngsters mocking her for delayed food. When one sarcastically asks if the chef has gone to China to bring Manchurian, she hits back with wit and fact, telling them it isn't even Chinese to begin with, and firmly calls out their rudeness. In another film, a brash man boasting about his power inside a bank is corrected by a tea vendor who knows the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita—the revamped Indian Penal Code—and reminds him that threatening public officials is a jailable offence. The third ad sees a humble salesman being asked to leave a rich man's drawing room for 'dirtying" an imported rug, only for him to reveal it's synthetic and offer better, locally made alternatives, before casually handing the host ₹10 for medicine and ₹1 as shagun, a blessing. Each film ends with Bachchan watching from the sidelines, smiling as he utters the now-signature line: Jahaan akal hai, wahan akad hai. The phrase is key. It signals a clear shift in the show's tone. For most of its journey since 2000, KBC has celebrated the power of knowledge in soft, empathetic ways. Early campaigns like Koi bhi insaan chhota nahi hota—essentially meaning everyone has capability to achieve something great—and Saraswati before Lakshmi leaned into humility, perseverance and upliftment. It was about aspiration. But India has changed—and so has its emotional temperature. This year's campaign acknowledges that. It taps into a more assertive, self-aware India. One where confidence isn't reserved for the privileged, and intellect isn't quiet. It wears its smarts on its sleeve, not to show off, but because it's earned it. There's a swagger, yes, but it's not hollow. The characters aren't brash; they're composed, dignified and sharp. The pride isn't in volume, it's in clarity. According to Vikas Bahl, 'It's not arrogance, but the belief that 'I can do it too' Bachchan himself describes it as a continuation of KBC's enduring theme: a celebration of knowledge and 'the quiet pride that comes with it." Only now, that quiet pride has found a louder, more confident voice. This tonal evolution couldn't be better timed. As KBC enters its 25th year, its continued relevance depends not just on format innovation but on how well it reflects the pulse of the country. And this campaign gets that pulse just right. It speaks to an India that's no longer content with seeking validation; it asserts its identity, its place, and most importantly, its intellect. The ads also work because they're cinematic yet grounded. They avoid preachiness, choosing instead to entertain while delivering strong undercurrents of social commentary. That's not easy to do in a 60-second spot. But by framing the underdog's knowledge as quiet rebellion and wrapping it in the familiarity of Amitabh Bachchan's voice, the campaign manages to be both massy and meaningful. It's also worth noting how KBC, as a brand, has grown in cultural equity over two and a half decades. What began as a high-stakes quiz show has become a mirror to India's changing aspirations. And with this campaign, it becomes a mirror to India's growing self-respect. There's no doubt that Big B's presence still anchors the show's credibility. But what's equally powerful is that in these ads, he's the observer, not the hero. The real heroes are the people. That shift, subtle but significant, sums up everything that's right about this campaign. Final take At a time when many long-running properties struggle to stay relevant, KBC has delivered a campaign that's not just timely, it's timeless. Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai reframes intellect as strength, dignity and confidence. It's a campaign that doesn't just promote a show, it captures the mood of a nation.
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This superstar, known as ‘Bigger than Bachchan', often played double and triple roles, his movies used to stay in theatres for 100 days – Can you recognize him?
Hundreds of movies are made in the South India every year. In recent years, South Indian cinema has gained significant attention and even received international recognition. However, there was a time when these films struggled to earn much at the box office. Back then, a film earning even Rs 10 crore was considered a huge achievement. Chiranjeevi is known as bigger than Bachchan and money making machine. The first Telugu film from South which earned more than Rs 10 crore in 1992 was Chiranjeevi's film Gharana Mogudu Chiranjeevi is well versed in playing double and triple roles in movies. But thanks to the actor seen in the photo, a film released in 1992 crossed the Rs 10 crore mark and became the first Telugu film to do so. Because of this film, he was given the title of an even bigger star than Amitabh Bachchan. According to The Week magazine, he was even labelled as the new 'money-making machine.' If you still haven't recognized him, don't worry, we'll help you out. How did Chiranjeevi became a star? The photo that you see on the top is of South megastar Chiranjeevi. He is the only actor in Tollywood who has done solo roles as well as double and even triple roles in films and coincidentally, all the films with such roles were hits and remained in theatres for more than a hundred days. Chiranjeevi's hit film Gharana Mogudu was the first Telugu film that did a business of more than ten crores. He was paired with Nagma in this film. Chiranjeevi, born in Andhra Pradesh, has delivered several blockbuster films in the South. He has worked not only in Telugu cinema but also in Tamil, Kannada, and a few Hindi films. A recipient of nine Filmfare Awards, Chiranjeevi has also been honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema. Chiranjeevi's famous movies He appeared in the Bollywood film Pratibandh, opposite Juhi Chawla. Several of Chiranjeevi's South Indian films have also been appreciated by Hindi-speaking audiences. These include Indra: The Tiger, Acharya, Diler, Shankar Dada, and Stalin . Though Chiranjeevi is now rarely seen in films, his son Ram Charan has earned the status of a superstar in the South Indian film industry.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
KBC's Amitabh Bachchan or Bigg Boss's Salman Khan, who is India's highest paid TV host? Their paychecks per episode compared
Synopsis Amitabh Bachchan has officially become the highest-paid television host in India with his return to Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17. Reports reveal he is earning ₹5 crore per episode, totaling Rs 25 crore weekly as the show airs five days a week. This surpasses Salman Khan's Bigg Boss OTT 2 earnings, where he was reportedly paid ₹12 crore per weekend episode, amounting to Rs 24 crore weekly. Despite earlier rumours of his exit, Bachchan remains the face of KBC, solidifying his legacy as both the heart of the show and the top-paid host in the country. Amitabh Bachchan's KBC Pay Overtakes Salman Khan's Bigg Boss Earnings Amitabh Bachchan is all set to return to the television screen as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 17, which premieres on August 11, 2025. With this season, the legendary actor is not just reviving one of India's most-loved quiz shows but also reportedly becoming the highest-paid host on Indian television.A report from indicates that Bachchan will be earning approximately Rs 5 crore per episode for KBC 17. Given that the show is scheduled to air five days a week, his weekly earnings would add up to around Rs 25 crore. This marks a significant increase and officially places him ahead of Salman Khan in the race for the top-paid TV host title. As per Salman Khan, who commands a massive fan base and hosts Bigg Boss, had reportedly been paid Rs 12 crore per episode during Bigg Boss OTT 2. Since he appears twice a week, this would total around Rs 24 crore weekly. While still an enormous sum, Bachchan's more frequent appearances and slightly higher per-week earnings have put him in the lead this also worth noting that while Salman's hosting is limited to weekends, Bachchan's role in KBC demands five consecutive days of filming each week, contributing to the higher overall this year, speculation circulated that Amitabh Bachchan might step down from KBC due to personal reasons. Some reports even suggested that Salman Khan was in advanced discussions to take over as the host of the show. However, these rumours were dismissed when Sony TV confirmed Bachchan's return with an official promo. The actor himself also put the speculation to rest by sharing photos from his rehearsals and stating that work had begun on the new its launch in 2000, KBC has become more than just a quiz show—it has evolved into a cultural staple. Hosted almost entirely by Amitabh Bachchan, except for the third season which was led by Shah Rukh Khan, the show has retained its charm for over two decades. Bachchan's iconic greeting—'Namaste Deviyon aur Sajjanon'—along with his empathetic hosting style, has contributed significantly to the show's emotional and intellectual celebrate 25 years of the franchise, Bachchan reflected on the milestone in a short note, acknowledging the journey that began on July 3, 2000. His involvement continues to be the backbone of the show's popularity, with viewers across generations tuning in not just for the questions, but for his both Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan are among the most bankable names in Indian television, current figures suggest that Bachchan's KBC paycheck has placed him ahead of Khan's Bigg Boss remuneration—at least for now. With KBC 17 set to begin airing from Monday to Friday at 9 PM on Sony TV and SonyLIV, fans can look forward to another season with India's highest-paid host at the helm.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
KBC's Amitabh Bachchan or Bigg Boss's Salman Khan, who is India's highest paid TV host? Their paychecks per episode compared
Amitabh Bachchan is all set to return to the television screen as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 17, which premieres on August 11, 2025. With this season, the legendary actor is not just reviving one of India's most-loved quiz shows but also reportedly becoming the highest-paid host on Indian television. A report from indicates that Bachchan will be earning approximately Rs 5 crore per episode for KBC 17. Given that the show is scheduled to air five days a week, his weekly earnings would add up to around Rs 25 crore. This marks a significant increase and officially places him ahead of Salman Khan in the race for the top-paid TV host title. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Design Thinking Others Project Management Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence CXO Technology Leadership MCA Digital Marketing Healthcare Degree Data Analytics PGDM Operations Management Data Science Finance Product Management Management Data Science Public Policy others MBA healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Salman Khan's Bigg Boss Pay Compared As per Salman Khan, who commands a massive fan base and hosts Bigg Boss, had reportedly been paid Rs 12 crore per episode during Bigg Boss OTT 2. Since he appears twice a week, this would total around Rs 24 crore weekly. While still an enormous sum, Bachchan's more frequent appearances and slightly higher per-week earnings have put him in the lead this season. It's also worth noting that while Salman's hosting is limited to weekends, Bachchan's role in KBC demands five consecutive days of filming each week, contributing to the higher overall payout. Rumours of Bachchan's Exit Proved False Earlier this year, speculation circulated that Amitabh Bachchan might step down from KBC due to personal reasons. Some reports even suggested that Salman Khan was in advanced discussions to take over as the host of the show. However, these rumours were dismissed when Sony TV confirmed Bachchan's return with an official promo. The actor himself also put the speculation to rest by sharing photos from his rehearsals and stating that work had begun on the new season. Since its launch in 2000, KBC has become more than just a quiz show—it has evolved into a cultural staple. Hosted almost entirely by Amitabh Bachchan, except for the third season which was led by Shah Rukh Khan, the show has retained its charm for over two decades. Bachchan's iconic greeting—'Namaste Deviyon aur Sajjanon'—along with his empathetic hosting style, has contributed significantly to the show's emotional and intellectual appeal. To celebrate 25 years of the franchise, Bachchan reflected on the milestone in a short note, acknowledging the journey that began on July 3, 2000. His involvement continues to be the backbone of the show's popularity, with viewers across generations tuning in not just for the questions, but for his presence. While both Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan are among the most bankable names in Indian television, current figures suggest that Bachchan's KBC paycheck has placed him ahead of Khan's Bigg Boss remuneration—at least for now. With KBC 17 set to begin airing from Monday to Friday at 9 PM on Sony TV and SonyLIV, fans can look forward to another season with India's highest-paid host at the helm.
